China
China warns Panama of ‘heavy prices’ to pay after CK Hutchison contract quashed. China warned Panama of consequences after a court annulled CK Hutchison’s port contracts. Beijing called the ruling unjust and vowed to defend Chinese business interests. The decision affects ports at both ends of the Panama Canal. Xiuhao Chen and Ryan Woo, Reuters, February 3
China’s J-10C performs at Singapore Airshow after lead role in India-Pakistan conflict. China showcased its J-10C fighter jet at the Singapore Airshow as it sought to boost arms sales in Southeast Asia. The aircraft gained prominence after reports it was used by Pakistan to shoot down an Indian Rafale jet. Seven J-10Cs arrived with a refueling tanker and performed aerobatic displays. Seong Hyeon Choi, South China Morning Post, February 3
Chinese journalist Liu Hu detained in Sichuan after report scrutinising local officials. Police in Sichuan detained investigative journalist Liu Hu and his assistant after a report alleging abuse of power by local officials. Authorities cited suspected false accusations and illegal business operations. The case renewed concerns over press freedom and the treatment of independent journalists in China. Yuanyue Dang, South China Morning Post, February 3
China’s Lunar New Year travel rush kicks off ahead of an extra-long holiday. China’s annual Spring Festival travel rush began ahead of a nine-day Lunar New Year holiday. Authorities expect record passenger trips as families travel despite economic uncertainty. Officials said transport systems were mobilized nationwide to manage demand. Nicoco Chan and Casey Hall, Reuters, February 2
Japan
Shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe appeals life sentence. The man convicted of killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022 appealed his life sentence. The Nara District Court had imposed the term after rejecting arguments about his troubled upbringing. Prosecutors had sought the maximum sentence for the high-profile assassination. Kyodo News, February 4
Pro-tax cut LDP candidates surge to 63% from last Diet election. A survey showed 63% of Liberal Democratic Party candidates now support cutting Japan’s consumption tax. That figure rose sharply from the previous national election as voter concern over living costs increased. Across all parties, most candidates favored some form of tax reduction. Yoshiyuki Komurata and Daiki Koga, The Asahi Shimbun, February 3
South Korea
Ruling, opposition parties rocked by leadership turmoil ahead of local elections. South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties are facing internal divisions ahead of June’s local elections. Disputes erupted over proposed mergers, expulsions and leadership decisions that critics say bypassed party procedures. Party leaders warned the turmoil could damage electoral prospects and weaken governance. Bahk Eun-ji, The Korea Times, February 3
DP floor leader vows ‘end to insurrection,’ push for prosecution reform. The ruling Democratic Party’s floor leader pledged sweeping judicial and prosecutorial reforms. He said ending the legacy of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law bid is essential to restoring livelihoods. The party vowed no compromise on separating investigative and indictment powers. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, February 3
FM, Rubio reaffirm cooperation on civil nuclear power, nuclear-powered subs, shipbuilding. South Korea and the United States reaffirmed cooperation on civil nuclear energy, nuclear-powered submarines and shipbuilding. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stressed the complete denuclearization of North Korea. The talks addressed alliance priorities and recent U.S. tariff threats. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, February 4
Vietnam
Documents show Vietnam’s military preparing for a possible American war. An internal Vietnamese defense document described preparations for a potential U.S. “war of aggression” despite upgraded bilateral ties. The document framed Washington as a belligerent power and warned of risks of foreign-backed unrest against Communist Party rule. Analysts said it highlights deep mistrust within Vietnam’s military leadership. David Rising and Aniruddha Ghosal, Associated Press, February 3
Thailand
Court upholds EC’s referendum registration rules; EC sends support to polling staff. Thailand’s Central Administrative Court upheld the Election Commission’s rules on out-of-district referendum registration. Judges ruled that the three-day registration window and multiple application channels complied with the law. The commission also sent messages of support to polling staff ahead of the Feb. 8 election and referendum. The Nation, February 3
BJT vows to respect voters’ wishes and bow to winner. The Bhumjaithai Party said it will respect parliamentary convention by allowing the largest party to form a government first. Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul said coalition talks should begin only after official results are known. He added that BJT would assess any future partners’ commitment to its policies. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, February 4
Myanmar
Myanmar junta turns to Pakistan amid Rohingya genocide case. Myanmar’s military government sought closer ties with Pakistan as it faced genocide proceedings over abuses against the Rohingya. The outreach coincided with hearings at the International Court of Justice and focused on diplomacy, trade and military links. Analysts said the move aimed to soften criticism within the Muslim world. The Irrawaddy, February 3
Myanmar junta, Russia agree new military alliance. Myanmar and Russia signed a five-year military cooperation pact extending through 2030. Moscow reaffirmed support for the junta as it faces civil war and international isolation. The agreement follows years of reliance on Russian arms and air power. The Irrawaddy, February 3
Timor-Leste opens war crimes proceedings against Myanmar junta. Timor-Leste launched legal proceedings accusing Myanmar’s junta of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The case was filed under universal jurisdiction by a Chin rights group. Myanmar’s military protested the move as interference in its internal affairs. The Irrawaddy, February 3
Laos
Laos sends first banana shipment to China as rail cargo volumes continue to rise. Laos completed its first banana export to China using sealed rail transport via the China–Laos Railway. The 85.5-tonne shipment traveled from Vientiane to Chongqing, with officials citing lower costs and reduced losses. Authorities said rising rail cargo volumes are supporting agricultural exports and access to inland Chinese markets. Phoudasack Vongsay, The Laotian Times, February 3
Cambodia
Cambodia pushes for embassy in Pakistan to deepen bilateral ties. Cambodia should establish an embassy in Pakistan to match expanding diplomatic and parliamentary relations, Senate President Hun Sen said during talks with Pakistan’s Senate chairman. The visit included the signing of a memorandum to strengthen legislative cooperation and discussions on trade and people-to-people exchanges. Officials said deeper engagement would support economic ties and coordination in regional and international forums. Sao Phal Niseiy, Cambodianess, February 3
Philippines
Philippine lawmakers weigh impeachment for President Marcos. Philippine lawmakers met to decide whether impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should advance. Allegations include corruption and constitutional violations, which Marcos denies. Any decision would require approval by the House and a Senate trial. Mikhail Flores, Reuters, February 3
Palace to ICI: Talk to President. Malacañang advised the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to consult directly with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on whether it should continue probing alleged irregularities in flood control projects. Palace officials said the President does not want to interfere with the body’s work and is awaiting its report and recommendations. The commission was created by executive order to investigate anomalies in government infrastructure spending. Kristina Maralit, The Manila Times, February 3
Panel members: 1st Marcos impeach rap ‘hearsay’. Members of the House justice committee said the first impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. relied heavily on hearsay and media reports. Lawmakers argued the allegations lacked factual basis and competent evidence to meet constitutional standards. The panel was set to vote on whether the complaint was sufficient in substance to proceed. Krixia Subingsubing, Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 4
Indonesia
Indonesia seeks partnership with Malaysia in semiconductor industry. Indonesia invited Malaysia to collaborate on developing new-generation semiconductor technology. Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto said Malaysia’s experience could support Indonesia’s push to build chip design, startups and industrial capacity. Officials said cooperation would strengthen regional supply chains and boost value-added manufacturing. ANTARA News, February 3
Indonesia’s defense budget may fund Board of Peace role: minister. Indonesia’s possible financial contribution to the U.S.-backed Board of Peace would come from the Defense Ministry’s budget. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the amount has not been decided and budget reallocation remains an option. Officials said membership does not require mandatory funding. ANTARA News, February 3
Prabowo signals Indonesia may exit BoP if Palestine independence unmet. President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia could withdraw from the Board of Peace if it fails to advance Palestinian independence. He made the remarks during talks with Islamic leaders at the State Palace. Officials said Indonesia would abstain or leave if the board’s actions conflict with national principles. ANTARA News, February 3
Singapore
Singapore air show kicks off amid supply chain strains, regional demand surge. Asia’s largest air show opened in Singapore with more than 1,000 companies participating. Aircraft makers highlighted strong regional demand despite delivery delays from supply chain constraints. Defense exhibits drew attention from Southeast Asian militaries. Julie Zhu and Jun Yong, Reuters, February 3
Taiwan
Taiwan must look to democracies, not China, for trade cooperation, president says. President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan should deepen economic ties with democratic partners rather than China. He cited cooperation with the United States on technology, AI and critical minerals. The remarks came as opposition figures visited Beijing. Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, February 3
MAC criticizes KMT’s participation in Beijing forum with CCP. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council criticized the Kuomintang for joining a Beijing forum that opposed Taiwan independence alongside the Chinese Communist Party. Officials said the KMT ignored rising military, diplomatic and economic pressure from China while echoing Beijing’s positions. The forum discussed cross-strait cooperation and was seen as paving the way for higher-level KMT-CCP engagement. Lee Ya-wen, Lu Chia-jung, Sean Lin and Sunny Lai, Focus Taiwan, February 3
India
Trump’s tariff cut sparks relief in India despite scant details. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a cut in tariffs on Indian goods to 18%. Indian markets rose as exporters welcomed the move despite limited details. India agreed to boost purchases of U.S. goods and reduce trade barriers. Shivangi Acharya and Manoj Kumar, Reuters, February 3
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, Vietnam seek to double trade, expand logistics and launch new flights. Kazakhstan and Vietnam agreed to pursue doubling bilateral trade while expanding transport, logistics and investment cooperation. Officials discussed boosting agricultural exports, using the Middle Corridor and strengthening multimodal cargo links. The sides also explored launching new direct flight routes and advancing joint investment projects. Dana Omirgazy, The Astana Times, February 3
Kyrgyzstan
Top EU diplomat to visit Kyrgyzstan for talks on sanctions. The European Union’s sanctions envoy will visit Kyrgyzstan later this month. Talks follow reports that the EU is considering restrictions over alleged sanctions evasion linked to Russia trade. Officials said dialogue would focus on resolving concerns. Aigerim Turgunbaeva, Reuters, February 3
East Asia
Standards are the new frontier in US–China AI competition. After the United States allowed Nvidia to export advanced H200 chips to approved customers in China, Beijing moved to limit domestic buyers’ access to those processors to reduce dependence on Nvidia’s CUDA software ecosystem. CUDA’s lock-in advantages make it a de facto global standard for AI development, and widespread H200 access would deepen Chinese developers’ reliance on a US-controlled platform. China is instead trying to cultivate an alternative stack around Huawei’s Ascend chips and the CANN software framework, which Huawei open-sourced in August 2025 to attract developers. US export controls from 2022–2024 helped create a captive market for indigenous options, but forcing a transition risks a productivity penalty if performance and usability lag. Chi Loong Chin, East Asia Forum, February 3
The Silenced Profession. China’s tightening information controls have made journalism a high-risk occupation marked by on-site obstruction, “disappeared” reporting, and institutionalized pre-publication review. The detention of investigative journalist Liu Hu in Chengdu highlights escalating personal danger as propaganda offices and internet regulators intensify oversight of outlets and self-media, pushing reporters toward self-censorship and routine deletion of sensitive work. Accounts from current and former journalists describe multilayer approval systems that deter investigative reporting, punishment mechanisms that enforce political “guidance,” and a shift from content scrutiny to tests of loyalty. Foreign correspondents report visa pressure tied to critical coverage, while press-card verification and ideological assessments embed political compliance into credentialing. Journalism students and freelancers increasingly pre-screen for sensitive language, and many professionals exit the field as public oversight space contracts. Yu Tian, China Media Project, February 3
Political Realignment and the 2026 Japanese Election II. Japan heads into a snap election called by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to restore a Liberal Democratic Party majority, with coalition partner Ishin no Kai seeking gains as the Centrist Reform Alliance struggles in polls. Voter unease centers on affordability alongside longer-term concerns about rising numbers of non-Japanese residents, recurring “money and politics” scandals, and national security. The LDP’s slush-fund controversy prompted investigations, cabinet resignations, disciplinary actions, and a sharp drop in fundraising, while Komeitō ended a decades-long coalition after disputes over tightening donation rules. Political reform proposals now include tougher fundraising oversight and Ishin-backed legislation to cut Lower House seats from 465 to 420, an idea drawing majority public support in multiple polls. Shelia A. Smith, Council on Foreign Relations, February 4
Is Kim Jong Un Headed for “DPRK President” Title? North Korea has increasingly referred to Kim Jong Un as “head of state” since September 2024, language that mirrors the constitutional description historically attached to the “DPRK president” title held by Kim Il Sung. The change likely reflects an undisclosed legal change, potentially tied to the State Affairs Commission chairmanship and a broader pattern of carefully staged title upgrades. Restoring the presidency and appointing Kim could reshape relations among state organs, influence how defense and foreign policy decisions are made, and alter succession planning. The rollout coincides with heightened leadership propaganda, reported economic initiatives such as the “20×10 policy,” and a transformed security environment marked by constitutional emphasis on advancing nuclear capabilities and deeper ties with Russia. Rachel Minyoung Lee, 38 North, February 3
Does socialist North Korea have any friends left? North Korea’s deepening alignment with Russia has accelerated even as relations with China and other socialist states remain constrained by sanctions, nuclear tensions, and divergent external policies. Pyongyang’s media spotlight on Vladimir Putin and muted treatment of Xi Jinping reflects persistent distrust despite efforts to stabilize ties, including a long-delayed Kim-Xi summit and senior Chinese attendance at major Workers’ Party commemorations. North Korea also seeks diversification through outreach to other socialist countries, yet practical cooperation is limited by UN Security Council sanctions that states such as Vietnam enforce strictly, including closures of North Korean businesses. Cuba’s establishment of ties with South Korea further narrowed Pyongyang’s options. Reliance on Russia alone is framed as unsustainable over time. Atsuhito Isozaki, ThinkChina, February 3
TSMC's American expansion is not a surrender -- it's insurance for Taiwan. Taiwan’s concerns that TSMC’s Arizona buildout weakens a “silicon shield” overlook how overseas capacity can reinforce Taiwan’s security and visibility while reducing concentrated supply risk. TSMC’s planned U.S. expansion follows its $165 billion commitment to build six chip plants in Arizona, amid expectations that a U.S.-Taiwan tariff deal could spur further investment. Limited land, heavy energy import dependence, and frequent typhoons and earthquakes constrain scaling at home, and recent quakes caused significant wafer damage and financial losses. Delays from labor shortages, a fatal safety incident, and discrimination lawsuits underscore execution risks, but successful U.S. operations can function as quasi-diplomacy by deepening stakeholder reliance on Taiwan. Joyce Tseng, Nikkei Asia, February 3
South Asia
A Quarter Century of Nuclear South Asia: Nuclear Noise, Signalling, and the Risk of Escalation in India-Pakistan Crises. India-Pakistan crises since the early 2000s show signalling that mixes veiled nuclear allusions with broader crisis communications aimed at shaping third-party intervention and managing domestic audiences. Pakistan’s posture repeatedly emphasizes conventional retaliation and calibrated restraint to deny India a “new normal” for limited strikes under the nuclear overhang, while avoiding overt nuclear brinkmanship that could alienate outside brokers. Domestic political pressures in India increase escalation incentives and create commitment traps, as seen in the Pulwama-Balakot episode and the unfolding 2025 crisis dynamics. Growing conventional imbalance and changing geopolitics could increase the salience of nuclear threat-making over time, reinforcing the case for crisis prevention through sustained dialogue and longer-term third-party engagement beyond peak moments. Moeed Yusuf and Rizwan Zeb, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, February 3
The Trump-Modi Trade Deal Won’t Magically Restore U.S.-India Trust. The United States and India reached an initial trade deal after months of rancor, but the arrangement is closer to a flexible, reversible “deal” than a detailed trade agreement. Headline terms include cutting tariffs on Indian exports from 50 percent to 18 percent, an aspirational plan for India to purchase $500 billion in U.S. goods and services over time, and U.S. claims of an Indian commitment to stop buying Russian oil. Lower tariffs give India a relative edge over some ASEAN competitors, yet small differentials may not outweigh supply-chain integration and investment fundamentals elsewhere. The reset lowers immediate friction, but recent tariff penalties tied to India’s third-country ties have politicized the relationship and reduced the ceiling of trust. Evan A. Feigenbaum, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, February 3
Internet freedom with Indian characteristics. India’s 2025 linkage of the National Population Register, which covers family details for 1.19 billion citizens, with NATGRID expanded intelligence and law-enforcement search capabilities from suspect-focused tools to population-wide queryability. NATGRID, operational since December 2020 and handling about 45,000 monthly access requests, now embeds near-universal identity data into routine policing workflows. Government assurances emphasize authorized access, audit logs, and efficiency gains, but the linkage proceeded without fresh legislative authorization or judicial oversight, despite privacy principles articulated in the Supreme Court’s 2017 Puttaswamy decision. Broad security exemptions in the 2023 Digital Personal Data Protection Act reinforce executive discretion. The result is a model of “managed transparency” where speech and access remain open while citizens become continuously searchable subjects of state infrastructure. Sahasranshu Dash, East Asia Forum, February 3